Question

State whether the data are best described as a population or a sample. The US Department of Transportation announces that of the 250 million registered passenger vehicles in the US, \(2.1 \%\) are electro-gas hybrids.

Short answer

The data is best described as a population since it includes all registered passenger vehicles in the US.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the nature of the data

The task mentions that 'of the 250 million registered passenger vehicles in the US, \(2.1 \%\) are electro-gas hybrids.' This data includes all registered passenger vehicles in the US, so it is describing the entire group that is being studied.

Key concepts

Statistical Populations

Understanding statistical populations is fundamental in the realm of statistics. A statistical population comprises all members or elements that meet a set of specified conditions at a certain time. In the context of our example, when we talk about the US Department of Transportation announcing the number of electro-gas hybrid vehicles among registered passenger vehicles, we are referring to a statistical population. This is because the data set includes all registered passenger vehicles in the country, not just a selected subset. Such comprehensive data ensures that findings and conclusions drawn from this data are wholly reflective of the entire group being studied.
Given the specific mention of '250 million registered passenger vehicles,' we can ascertain that the US Department of Transportation's announcement utilizes a population data set. This provides the most accurate and inclusive picture of the prevalence of electro-gas hybrid vehicles in the context of the total number of registered vehicles.

Data Representation

Data representation refers to the various methods through which data can be displayed or transmitted effectively to convey meaning. It includes graphical representations such as charts and graphs, as well as numerical formats like tables or written descriptions that include percentages. In the case of our transportation data, the representation of '2.1%' to denote the proportion of electro-gas hybrids among registered vehicles is a numerical representation that communicates a piece of statistical information quickly and efficiently.
Effective data representation is crucial for accessibility and comprehension among various readers or stakeholders who aim to understand the data. For example, converting the mentioned percentage into a number can provide a tangible sense of scale, illustrating more concretely that '2.1%' translates to approximately 5.25 million electro-gas hybrid vehicles out of the total mentioned.

Percentages in Statistics

Percentages are a standard statistical tool used to express how a part relates to a whole. They allow for an easier comparison of data sets of different sizes and are commonly used in communicating data points in areas such as demographics, survey results, and economic reports. In our exercise, the percentage of electro-gas hybrids, which stands at '2.1%', allows for clear communication of the proportion of these vehicles within the realm of all registered passenger vehicles.
From an educational perspective, understanding percentages is invaluable since it aids in interpreting reports and conducting meaningful comparisons. When students grasp how to convert percentages into real numbers and vice versa, they gain the ability to contextualize raw data and navigate through statistical findings with more confidence and understanding.

Electro-Gas Hybrid Vehicles Data

The data on electro-gas hybrid vehicles is an evolving and increasingly significant field in the study of transportation and environmental statistics. These vehicles, which operate on both gasoline and electricity, present an alternative to traditional combustion-engine cars and are of interest due to their environmental and energy implications.
In statistical terms, the data on electro-gas hybrids can be incorporated into broader studies of the move towards sustainable transportation solutions. Monitoring the growth in the percentage of hybrids among all vehicles can help predict trends, assess the success of policies aimed at reducing emissions, and inform stakeholders. As with all statistical data, the contextual relevance and timely interpretation of these numbers can prove to be powerful tools for both policymakers and the public.